Internal force application apparatus and method of use for stretching a windshield seal

Abstract

A windshield lift acting between the floor of a vehicle and the inside surface of the windshield with the aid of suction cups to apply an outward force to place the seal which bonds the windshield to the vehicle frame under tension. The peripheral seal can then be easily cut with a knife.

We claim:  
     
       1. A device for use in stretching a windshield seal located between a windshield and a frame of a vehicle, the device comprising in combination: 
       a base at a first end thereof;  
       a windshield engagement end opposite said first end;  
       an adjustable length structure located between said windshield engagement end and said base; and  
       a jack attached to said adjustable length structure to increase a length of said adjustable length structure and push said windshield engagement end away from said base, such that when the device is located between a substantially fixed surface and the windshield of the vehicle, the jack can cause the device to push against the windshield and stretch the windshield seal.  
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein said windshield engagement end includes at least one suction cup attached thereto. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein said jack is hydraulic. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 2  wherein said jack is manually powered. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein said windshield engagement end includes at least two suction cups attached thereto. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein said at least two suction cups are spaced laterally away from each other and are locatable facing a substantially common windshield plane, such that each of said at least two suction cups can interface with an inside surface of the windshield simultaneously. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6  wherein said suction cups face at least partially away from the floor of the vehicle when said base of said device is abutting the floor of the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. A method for stretching a windshield seal that is located around a perimeter of a vehicle windshield, the steps including; 
       providing a force applying device with a base and a windshield engagement end spaced from the base, the force applying device configured to be adjustable to move the windshield engagement end away from the base;  
       positioning the base of the force applying device adjacent a surface of the vehicle, the surface at least partially facing the windshield;  
       locating the windshield engagement end of the force applying device abutting an inside surface of the windshield; and  
       adjusting a length of the force applying device so that the windshield engagement end of the force applying device causes the seal around the perimeter of the windshield to be at least partially stretched.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein said providing step includes the further step of configuring the windshield engagement end to include at least one suction cup. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein said providing step includes the step of providing the windshield engagement end with at least two suction cups, said at least two suction cups spaced laterally relative to each other, said suction cups facing a plane adjacent an inside surface of the windshield when the base is located adjacent a floor of the vehicle. 
     
     
       11. A method for stretching a windshield seal that is located around a perimeter of a vehicle windshield, the steps including; 
       providing a force applying device with a base and a windshield engagement end spaced from the base, the force applying device configured to be adjustable to move the windshield engagement end away from the base;  
       positioning the base of the force applying device adjacent a surface of the vehicle, the surface at least partially facing the windshield;  
       locating the windshield engagement end of the force applying device abutting an inside surface of the windshield;  
       adjusting a length of the force applying device so that the windshield engagement end of the force applying device causes the seal around the perimeter of the windshield to be at least partially stretched; and  
       locating the force applying device with the base abutting a floor of the vehicle, the floor at least partially facing an inside surface of the windshield.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein said adjusting step continues until the windshield seal is stretched sufficiently that a knife can access the seal for cutting the seal and removal of the windshield. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11  wherein said providing step includes the step of configuring the force applying device to have at least two telescoping shafts, one of the telescoping shafts located adjacent the base, one of the telescoping shafts located adjacent the windshield engagement end, and a jack between the at least two telescoping shafts that can move the at least two telescoping shafts longitudinally relative to each other.